He shot wide and buried a shaft in the flesh and blood of his own brother.
-He shot an arrow into the skin of his own brother.
That offence was beyond redress, a wrongfooting
of the heart's affections; for who could avenge
the prince's life or pay his death-price?
-The crime was too terrible and unable to set right;
because who could settle the score and get revenge on the prince's life and death?
It was like the misery felt by an old man
who has lived to see his son's body
swingThthe gallows. He begins to keen
and weep for his boy, watching the raven
gloat where he hangs: he can be of no help.
The wisdom of age is worthless to him.
-The pain was that of an old man who had to see his son hung on the gallows.
As he mourns for his son, he sees the crow relishing the sight from where it sits.
The old man can do nothing and feels helpless, despite his age.
Morning after morning, he wakes to remember
that his child is gone; he has no interest
in living on until another heir
is born in the hall, now that his first-born
has entered death's dominion forever.
-Everyday, the old man has to deal with the fact that his son is gone.
He is indifferent to life until another child is born, now that his first child is dead forever.
He gazes sorrowfully at his son's dwelling,
the banquet hall bereft of all delight,
the windswept hearthstone; the horsemen are sleeping,
the warriors under ground; what was is no more.
No tunes from the harp, no cheer raised in the yard.
-The old man sadly looks at his son’s house
the dining place empty of celebration,
the fireplace chilly; the horsemen and soldiers are gone.
Nothing is as it was before.
No music, no huzzahs.
Alone with this longing, he lies down on his bed
and sings a lament; everything seems too large,
the steadings and the fields. -He lies down on his bed and sings a sad song; everything feels too big.
Such was the feeling
of loss endured by the lord of the Geats
after Herebeald's death. He was helplessly placed
to set to rights the wrong committed,
could not punish the killer in accordance with the law
of the blood-feud, although he felt no love for him.
-This was how the lord of the Geats felt after Herebeald’s death. He was forced to avenge for the crime and could not punish the murderer based on the rules of the fight.
Heartsore, wearied, he turned away
from life's joys, chose God's light
and departed, leaving buildings and lands
to his sons, as a man of substance will.
-Brokenhearted and tired, he avoided the good things in life
and walked in the path of God.
He left his property to his son, as a man who owns things would.
"Then over the wide sea Swedes and Geats
battled and feuded and fought without quarter.
-The Swedes and Geats fought and fought over the sea.
Hostilities broke out when Hrethel died.
Ongentheow's sons were unrelenting,
refusing to make peace, campaigning violently
from coast to coast, constantly setting up
terrible ambushes around Hreasnahill.
-There were numerous conflicts after Hrethel passed away.
Ongentheow's sons were constantly picking fights, stirring up support from everywhere, and trapping the people around Hreasnahill.
He shot wide and buried a shaft in the flesh and blood of his own brother.
-He shot an arrow into the skin of his own brother.
That offence was beyond redress, a wrongfooting
of the heart's affections; for who could avenge
the prince's life or pay his death-price?
-The crime was too terrible and unable to set right;
because who could settle the score and get revenge on the prince's life and death?
It was like the misery felt by an old man
who has lived to see his son's body
swing Th the gallows. He begins to keen
and weep for his boy, watching the raven
gloat where he hangs: he can be of no help.
The wisdom of age is worthless to him.
-The pain was that of an old man who had to see his son hung on the gallows.
As he mourns for his son, he sees the crow relishing the sight from where it sits.
The old man can do nothing and feels helpless, despite his age.
Morning after morning, he wakes to remember
that his child is gone; he has no interest
in living on until another heir
is born in the hall, now that his first-born
has entered death's dominion forever.
-Everyday, the old man has to deal with the fact that his son is gone.
He is indifferent to life until another child is born, now that his first child is dead forever.
He gazes sorrowfully at his son's dwelling,
the banquet hall bereft of all delight,
the windswept hearthstone; the horsemen are sleeping,
the warriors under ground; what was is no more.
No tunes from the harp, no cheer raised in the yard.
-The old man sadly looks at his son’s house
the dining place empty of celebration,
the fireplace chilly; the horsemen and soldiers are gone.
Nothing is as it was before.
No music, no huzzahs.
Alone with this longing, he lies down on his bed
and sings a lament; everything seems too large,
the steadings and the fields.
-He lies down on his bed and sings a sad song;
everything feels too big.
Such was the feeling
of loss endured by the lord of the Geats
after Herebeald's death. He was helplessly placed
to set to rights the wrong committed,
could not punish the killer in accordance with the law
of the blood-feud, although he felt no love for him.
-This was how the lord of the Geats felt after Herebeald’s death.
He was forced to avenge for the crime and could not punish the murderer based on the rules of the fight.
Heartsore, wearied, he turned away
from life's joys, chose God's light
and departed, leaving buildings and lands
to his sons, as a man of substance will.
-Brokenhearted and tired, he avoided the good things in life
and walked in the path of God.
He left his property to his son, as a man who owns things would.
"Then over the wide sea Swedes and Geats
battled and feuded and fought without quarter.
-The Swedes and Geats fought and fought over the sea.
Hostilities broke out when Hrethel died.
Ongentheow's sons were unrelenting,
refusing to make peace, campaigning violently
from coast to coast, constantly setting up
terrible ambushes around Hreasnahill.
-There were numerous conflicts after Hrethel passed away.
Ongentheow's sons were constantly picking fights, stirring up support from everywhere, and trapping the people around Hreasnahill.